If you are in Kodagu, then a visit to Bylakuppe in Kushalnagar township is a must. It is, after all, touted to have the largest Tibetan settlement in South India (some sources say it's the largest Tibetan settlement in India outside of Tibet). Little Tibet, or Bylakuppe, will have you transfixed on everything there is to do with Tibet and its cultural and religious elements. The main spots to visit are, of course, the monasteries with the most popular one being the Namdroling Monastery or the Golden Temple built in the Nyingma tradition.
The temple complex features typical Tibetan elements with gold and red paint, pagodas, and Zen gardens. It's a spot for great photos. Oh, and the sun hitting the golden roof is a sight to behold. Inside, it's truly a serene place that will calm you down as you watch monks praying to the stunning gold statues of the Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Amitayus.
The other notable monasteries include Sera Monastery and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, both of which are constructed in the Gelug tradition. The Tashi Lhunpo is the branch of the historical and cultural Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet, considered to be the seat of Panchen Lama and founded by the first Lama.
Once you are done visiting the monasteries, we recommend walking around the township and trying out the various Tibetan restaurants offering everything from Thukpa to Tingmo and everything in between. Check out restaurants such as Kongpo Kitchen, Peace Restaurant, Taste of Tibet, and Tibet Kitchen. Peach Restaurant and Tibet Kitchen do a good thukpa. Oh, and we recommend that you don't leave Bylakupe without a spot for shopping. You will find yourself picking up potala incense, prayer wheels, beads, flags, beautiful gongs and bells, and trinkets—mostly wooden and handmade. Plus, you will also find plenty of ceramics, chopsticks, and the like.
Distance from Bangalore: 4 hours or 220 kilometres
